Carrick Girls Edge Out Ballyhaunis in exciting 8-try spectacle
Under a clear sky and on a pitch in excellent condition given the recent weather, Carrick secured a hard-fought 27–21 victory over Ballyhaunis RFC on Saturday afternoon. In a game defined by tactical growth and physical resilience, the home side combined clinical finishing with a “single unit” defensive effort to hold off a determined visiting squad.
The match served as a showcase for Carrick’s evolving chemistry, with the team demonstrating a much deeper understanding of the game’s nuances compared to early-season performances.
The scoring opened with Suzie powering through the Ballyhaunis defense to ground the ball, followed by a successful conversion from Leah. The duo proved to be a formidable pairing throughout the match; shortly after, Leah broke the line and, despite being halted by the defense, found Suzie in support to finish a classic “crash ball” try.
Leah’s influence extended beyond her kicking tee. She showcased her agility with a quick-thinking tap penalty, jinking through a crowded defense to score under the posts. Her second try of the day came from a beautifully executed loop play inside the 22, taking the ball at high speed to slice through the Ballyhaunis line.
The final blow came from a display of pure forward power. Caoilinn spearheaded a 15-meter drive, falling just one meter short of the white line. In a moment of excellent composure, she popped the ball to Savannah, who crossed to seal the fifth try for the hosts.
While Ballyhaunis managed three tries of their own to keep the pressure high until the final whistle, Carrick’s defensive cohesion ensured the 27–21 lead remained intact.
Final Score: Carrick on Shannon 27 (5 Tries) | Ballyhaunis 21 (3 Tries)
“The skills are improving every week, but the real highlight today was seeing them fight as a single team in both offense and defense.”
